Blackhawks Over Los Angeles Review

Release Date: June 12, 2007
Label: Fat Wreck Chords
Genres: Punk
Number Of Tracks: 12
The sound is pure punk, and really stands on a different level than most metalcore/mainstream modern bands.

Sound:	9.5
Lyrics:	8.5
Impression:	8.5
Overall rating:	9.3
Reviewer rating:	8.8
Users rating:	9.7
Votes:	29

overall: 9.3

Reviewed by: lllostmotelll, on june 27, 2007

Sound: Right off the bat, I'm going to say that this is one of Strung Out's strongest efforts to date. The CD as a whole isn't as flashy as some of their other releases, but it has plenty of moments where the record sounds consistently full and equally balanced. Ever since the early 90s, Strung Out has been a strong contender in the punk-rock scene, but with their latest four releases (The Element of Sonic Defiance EP, An American Paradox, Exile in Oblivion, and Blackhawks Over Los Angeles [BOLA]), they have been able to successfully fuse their already great punk sound, with a lot of metal twinge, to make a perfect blend of punk-metal like many bands out there nowadays try, and constantly fail (more or less by making the same exact sounding CD over and over again). The entire album flows from front to back, with the outwardly humorous "western" guitar duel starting out the band's first track "Calling", to the very melodic and poppy "Diver" to close out the CD. And everywhere in between, Strung Out's blaring guitar riffs and solos, combined with the chunky bass riffs and critically acclaimed "Superhuman" drumming, which often times sounds more like The Battle of Gettysburg if it were fought with machine guns instead of rifles. I don't care what anyone says, Travis Barker (+44, ex-Blink-182) is NOT, I repeat NOT the industry's best drummer. Jordan Burns of Strung Out is clearly better, and he showcases his skills each time he records new material. It's a shame this band isn't too popular, because with music the way it is now, we need something to overthrow the Gwen Stefanis and Fergies and My Chemical Romances of our mainstream age. // 10

Lyrics and Singing: Ah yes, finally Jason figured it out. No one likes the doubletracked vocals anymore. And in BOLA, this once-overused Strung Out perk is now nearly gone. And now that he's rid recordings of this, Jason's lyrics stand out more than ever. Sounds odd that stripping something down can have a more powerful effect, but it does, and it's achieved very well. Jason's lyrics are really hard to follow on first, second, third and even forth, up to even tenth listen. You almost need the lyrics in front of you in order to get what he's saying sometimes. However, in such songs like "Party In The Hills", lines like "So you do your dance obliterating everything you see, and I do my best to waste it all away" stand out and are easy to sing along to after only listening once or twice. However, Jason doesn't like to enunciate very well, which can be okay sometimes, but he does it at times on the verge of completely annoying. I find myself singing jibberish because that's all I can grasp without reading the lyrics with the song. All jibberish aside though, Jason has a very powerful voice that stands out in this day and age where singers are all about whining and crying to their music. Definitely not for sissies. // 9

Impression: Overall, BOLA is a very powerful and consistent effort. Upon reading another review, I had to agree with the writer when he said "This is Strung Out's most consistent album to date. With other albums in the past with some really good standout songs and then a few filler songs, there really isn't any evidence of that with BOLA". With all kinds of throwbacks to old Strung Out albums, this CD is probably their best effort to date, and if not, it's really damn close to the near perfect "An American Paradox". Definitely one to buy if you're a die-hard Strung Out fan, but maybe fans of their older stuff with the mostly punk sound might want to try streaming it online first. After you do though, you're probably going to want it. // 9

overall: 8.3

Reviewed by: _RATM_, on june 25, 2007

Sound: The sound is pure punk, and really stands on a different level than most metalcore/mainstream modern bands. This is easily strung out's best release since exile into oblivion. For those of you unfamiliar with strung out, these guys combine the raw (almost tremolo picked) power chords of rise against, with insane metal esque solos, that are very impressive. They also cleverly throw in a few acoustic passages to keep things fresh. The first track 'Calling', is filled with insane harmony riffs, starting with a weird acoustic (almost surf guitar) intro and into an awesome verse riff.

I also love the intro to "The King Has Left The Building", which is a little more generic than most of the guitar parts, but still cool. The band seems to have slightly matured into more of a thrashy pedal tone inspired guitar parts, and it definetly doesn't dissapoint. The drumming has always been awesome, but doesnt seem to shine any brighter in this album. Many songs on this album still reflect their older songs, but with a clearer, cleaner sound. // 9

Lyrics and Singing: The lyrics arent the greatest in the world but the vocalists makes up for it with their singing. Again, think Rise Against lyrics, with a little less roughness in the voice, then drenched in vocal harmonies. The lyrics are typical punk style "is anybody out there?", and stuff like that. Mostly 'fist-pumping' lyrics if that makes sense. // 8

Impression: This album compares in my mind to Rise Against's 'Sufferer And The Witness', with a little flashier riffs and awesome solos. My favorites are (not in order) 'Calling', 'The King has Left the Building', 'A War Called Home', 'Orchid'... I really could name them all except maybe dirty little secret is a little too light for me. I don't worry about anyone stealing it cause I have it downloaded on my computer, but I would definetly download it all again if my computer crashed or something. If you are unfamiliar with strung out this is a good CD (or exile into oblivion) to get hooked on. // 8

Comments

[guitar-goddess]

doesn't sound bad, i'll probly go get it.

[andrew_bassist]

This is the worst reviews I've ever read. How is this album pure punk? Its clearly more metal influenced. And to say the lyrics are weak is ridiculous. Jason Cruz is one of the best songwriters in punk rock. Also how the **** do you compare Rise Against to Strung Out? Strung Out has been around longer and is more diverse than those peta freaks, Rise Against. Rise Against isn't half as good as Strung Out. Anyway its pretty clear that the person doing this review doesn;t know what hes talking about. The album is amazing and it should be as no surprise.

[_RATM_]

i apologize for trying to get a review for such a great band, andrew, i think their cds need more reviews and if ud like to tell me how this album is then review it please. believe me i think strung out are way more skilled than rise against, i was trying to compare it with an album i thought sounded similar. and imo the lyrics on this album suck compared to anything else theyve released. i also cant hear the 'metal' sound except in their solos.

[eerie_v]

I have to admit I somehow think this is a step in a generally odd direction for Strung Out, but it worked. Mixed with political and social issues and incredible vocals and the always present musical work of a genius band this is a bit of ear candy! I'm not sure what to lable the genre, punk, metal, I just know it's great work. Anyone stuck on

Exile in Oblivion

should take the time to throw it on their mp3 player and take a stroll through what they are trying to say.Great from beginning to end!

[punk_kid1028]

Very helpful review.

I deffinatly need to go by that CD now.

thanks

[thormerz]

this album is awesome.

[shihad99]

great album, great band. Guitars are solid as yet again

[bassthunder]

definitely not nearly as popular as they should be, way too good to be left in the shadows

[TheKingisDead]

This is probably one of the best albums released in the past 3 years. The vocals are so much stronger, the guitar work is so much more technical, yet melodic. And the song writing is just so much catchier.
And of course they rip it up live. Everyone should own this album.